likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: copy, portrait

2

: appearance, semblance

3

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance

Synonyms of likeness

• image
• depiction
• portrait
• illustration
• picture

Choose the Right Synonym for likeness

likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details.

likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

a remarkable likeness to his late father

some similarity between the two cases

resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Examples of likeness in a Sentence

a stamp bearing the likeness of a president

There's some likeness between them.

There's an uncanny likeness between them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Georgia State University has unveiled a major plan to upgrade its athletic facilities and expand support for student-athletes, including new opportunities tied to name, image, and likeness deals. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Since 2021, players have been able to get paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL). —Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026

Name, image and likeness money has shifted the entire landscape of the sport. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

That, presumably, is because human actors would have been reluctant to approve their name, image and likeness for use in whatever the Disney-Sora thing was going to be. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing likeness

• a good likeness

Rhymes for likeness

• unlikeness

Kids Definition

likeness

noun

like·​ness ˈlīk-nəs 

1

: a picture especially of a person : portrait

2

: the quality or state of being like : resemblance